Debate surrounding permanent carbon dioxide storage in underground facilities has intensified as German lawmakers consider a draft bill. The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) is urging for the rapid development of a corresponding pipeline network, arguing it is “crucial for the future of the industrial location and achieving climate targets.
VCI Managing Director Wolfgang Große Entrup stated in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” that the network should be recognized as infrastructure of “overwhelming public interest” akin to the planned hydrogen core network. He also advocates for the state to assure financing and mitigate risks, rather than relying solely on private investment, to expedite planning and expansion.
However, the German Nature Conservation Ring (DNR) has cautioned against overly optimistic projections. DNR President Kai Niebert characterized CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) as a contribution that would be, at best, “homeopathic” citing its energy intensity, cost and inherent risks. He further warned that widespread implementation could stifle the energy transition and solidify reliance on fossil fuels.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses CCS as a tool for managing difficult-to-avoid emissions, particularly in industries such as cement, steel and chemicals. Nevertheless, the IPCC highlights the potential for CCS plans to dilute the incentives for immediate emissions reductions. Recent studies also indicate that the globally available CO2 storage capacity is significantly lower than previously estimated by research and industry.